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Defector

Giri Nathan

EmbiidWatch Begins: Possible Twitter-Bio Intrigue

Patrick Redford

BOSTON, MA - MAY 14: Head Coach Doc Rivers of the 76ers looks on during the game during round two game seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffson May 14, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

Sixers Deny Doc Rivers The Chance At A Fourth Straight Second-Round Loss

Albert Burneko

Happy Recrimination Season To All Who Celebrate

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Joel Embiid covers his face with a towel.

Joel Embiid Is A Finite Resource

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in game six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 11, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Sixers Had Another Nightmare Finish Against Boston

BOSTON, MA - MAY 9: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to the media after the game against the Boston Celtics during the Eastern Conference Semi Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2023 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Joel Embiid Is Showing Up His Biggest Critic: Joel Embiid

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 05: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers falls to the court after colliding with Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in game three of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Celtics Own The Sixers

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball during Game Two of the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns on May 1, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Media Meltdowns

Denver Post Columnist: Nikola Jokic’s Underwear Shows Why He Deserves MVP

Tom Ley

BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers is helped up during Round One Game Three of the 2023 NBA Playoffs against the Brooklyn Nets on April 20, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE

The Sixers And Joel Embiid Are Back Where They Always End Up

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 20: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts toward referee Nick Buchert #3 against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half of Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 20, 2023 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The 76ers won 102-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

It’s About Contact With The Balls

Joel Embiid Made His Case Again

David Roth

Dillon Brooks smiling on the floor during a Grizzlies game against the Philadelphia 76ers in February of 2023.

Podcasts

The Man Who Loved Dillon Brooks, With Rohan Nadkarni

BELGRADE, SERBIA - AUGUST 25: Nikola Jokic (L) of Serbia in action against Giannis Antetokounmpo (R) of Greece during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifier game between Serbia and Greece at Stark Arena on August 25, 2022 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

The Knowable Unknown Of The 2023 NBA MVP Discourse Is Breaking Our Brains

Joel Embiid blocks Ja Morant's shot attempt.

When Joel Embiid Decides To Be A Monster, Look Out!

Joel Embiid attempts a lay-up in a career night.

Joel Embiid Did All Of Basketball

Steve Nash plays pickup basketball in Beijing in 2009.

Basketball Maneuvers I Would Feel Comfortable Performing In Front Of An NBA Player, Ranked

This Again?

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 10: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Miami Heat during the first half in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at FTX Arena on May 10, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Joel Embiid Is Right About Awards Voting

Some Guys And Radio Freaks Remain 0-97 When Trying To Break NBA News

Doc Rivers Has Picked One Hell Of A Hill To Die On

Doc Rivers And I Both Sound Terrified The Sixers Are Going To Choke

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 18: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round at Wells Fargo Center on April 18, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Nick Nurse Is Grumpy With Joel Embiid

Bones Stole The Show

CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 20: Nikola Jokic #15 of Team LeBron and Joel Embiid #21 of Team Durant talk during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 20, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)